Child Support in Salt Lake City, UT

In Utah, there are standard guidelines for child support. Most of the time your Salt Lake City Divorce Lawyer will plug in your income and your spouse’s income and depending on the custody the child support calculator will determine what the child support should be. However, this does not mean that this child support calculation must be followed. There is a statute in Utah that allows for the child support to be deviated from. The Utah statute is Utah Code Annotated 78B-12-202. There are seven factors when deciding whether you can deviate from the child support award;

  1. The standard of living and situation of the parties – if you children have had a really good standard of living this may be a good factor for you. This could show that you need more in child support to help the children continue doing their activities that they enjoyed or stay in the same school district.
  2. The relative wealth and income of the parties – this factor is here for the wealthy. This will help one party point out that children are accustomed to more and need more.
  3. The ability of the obligor to earn – this becomes relevant if one parent has advanced degrees or business opportunities.
  4. The ability of the obligee to earn – this is usually looked at if there has been one parent that was the primary care giver.
  5. If there is an incapacitated adult child then the Court could look to their ability to earn income.
  6.  The needs of the obligee, the obligor, and the child – this is a factor that starts to sound and act like alimony
  7. The ages of the Parties – This is usually relevant if the Parties are close to retirement
  8. Alimony or duty to support each other – this is usually just a calculation to make sure there is the ability to pay

“In deviating from the guidelines, the trial court must at least consider the seven factors listed in Utah Code Ann. § 78–45–7(3) (1996) and enter findings on all of these factors.2 See Allred v. Allred, 797 P.2d 1108, 1111 (Utah Ct.App.1990); see also Udy, 893 P.2d at 1100. A court abuses its discretion when it fails to enter detailed findings on each of these factors. See Allred, 797 P.2d at 1111.” Rehn v. Rehn, 1999 UT App 41, 974 P.2d 306, 312

At Arnold, Wadsworth & Coggins Attorneys, we offer a free consultation. Feel free to call (801) 475-0123 to set up a consultation in Salt Lake City or Ogden, Utah. We look forward to talking to you.

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Wyatt German
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Deven Coggins and his paralegal Holly Ranger have done a great job helping me through my whole custody battle. I am a person that would rather get told the truth than just do whatever and go blindly. Deven, always gave his honest opinion and was not afraid to be straight forward. He had my best interest the whole time and fought very hard for me and always keeping our integrity intact. In that results as we stand I have full custody of my daughter. Highly recommend these two to anyone wanting a no Bs kind of lawyer.
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Madison Jones
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I’m beyond thankful for the exceptional service I received from Brian Arnold. From day one, he showcased a deep understanding of family law and a clear commitment to my case. What truly stood out, however, was his remarkable ability to negotiate with the opposing counsel and secure an incredibly favorable resolution when it seemed like a tough situation. Throughout the process, Brian was thorough, transparent, and always kept me updated. He balanced assertiveness with empathy, ensuring that my needs were met without unnecessary stress or conflict. Thanks to Brian's negotiation expertise, we were able to avoid a prolonged legal battle and achieved a result that was far beyond what I had hoped for. I’m so relieved and pleased with the outcome. If you need a family law attorney who is not only skilled but also genuinely dedicated to achieving the best possible result for you, I can’t recommend Brian Arnold and his team enough. You’ll be in excellent hands.
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Jaycee Hill
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I can’t thank Brian Arnold enough for the support and guidance during my divorce. From the beginning, him and his staff worked tirelessly to find a resolution that was fair and in my best interest, without the need to go to court. Their expertise in negotiation and mediation was evident, and they made what could have been a stressful and contentious process much smoother. If you’re looking for a divorce attorney who can handle things efficiently and effectively without the added stress of courtroom battles, I highly recommend Brian Arnold and the Arnold, Wadsworth & Coggins legal team.
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Owen Vannoy
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I couldn’t have asked for a better team during a challenging time in my life. Arnold, Wadsworth & Coggins and its staff provided expert legal advice and compassionate support throughout the entire process. They were clear, responsive, and always had my best interests at heart. Their professionalism and empathy made a difficult situation much easier to navigate. Highly recommend them if you’re looking for top-notch legal representation.
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Alyssa Leigh
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I can’t thank Brian Arnold and his team enough for their support during my highly contested divorce. From the very beginning, they were professional, understanding, and extremely knowledgeable about every aspect of the case. The process was emotionally draining and complicated, but Brian and the team guided me every step of the way, making sure I understood my options and what to expect. Despite the challenges, they were able to negotiate a favorable settlement that protected my rights and helped me move forward with confidence. I always felt like they had my best interests at heart, and their attention to detail was impressive. If you’re facing a tough divorce, I highly recommend Brian Arnold and the Arnold, Wadsworth & Coggins team. They made a difficult time much easier to navigate, and I’m truly grateful for their expertise and support.
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Jordynn Schureman
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I’m very pleased with the service I received from Brian Arnold in handling my traffic citation. Brian quickly assessed my case, provided clear guidance, and worked efficiently to have the citation reduced, saving me both time and money. Brian and his staff kept me informed throughout the process and handled everything with professionalism. If you’re dealing with a traffic citation and want a hassle-free resolution, I highly recommend Brian Arnold.
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Jennifer McClellan
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I cannot recommend Arnold Wadsworth & Coggins enough. I was facing a serious and complex legal matter, and the team at Arnold Wadsworth & Coggins provided exceptional support every step of the way. Their expertise, professionalism, and clear communication helped me navigate a difficult situation with confidence. They were responsive, thorough, and truly dedicated to achieving the best outcome. Thanks to their hard work and strategic approach, I was able to reach a resolution that far exceeded my expectations. If you're dealing with a serious legal issue, Arnold Wadsworth & Coggins is the firm you want on your side. They combine expert legal knowledge with compassionate client care, making them stand out in their field.
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Jack Carver
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Brian Arnold helped me with my criminal case. He got me a plea in abeyance and the charge expunged so it's no longer on my record. Brian is an amazing attorney and I definitely recommend working with him.

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Cobie Spevak

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